Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
CRASH!
The statue topples and shatters on the floor. The sound is deafening in the silence.
Dorian whirls and our eyes lock.
His face goes pale—then red.
“You,” he breathes. “You little spy.”
“I wasn’t— I didn’t mean to—” I begin, backing away. But it’s too late—he’s on me in an instant, his hand clamping around my arm like a vise. His breath reeks of wine and his eyes are red with fury.
“How dare you come sneaking around here, spying on me again!” he snarls.
“I—I wasn’t spying! I just got lost!” I babble.
His lip curls. And then—chillingly—he smiles.
“Actually, this is perfect… I’m glad you were spying.” He holds up the empty vial and grins at me most unpleasantly. “This is the perfect opportunity.”
Before I can scream or yank my arm out of his grip, he hauls me out of the King’s chambers, dragging me down the main corridor.
His grip is brutal and my arm throbs. My heart hammers in my chest—oh, Goddess, this is bad. This is so, so bad.
“Guards! Guards!” Dorian bellows. “Quickly—this little bitch has poisoned the King! I caught her in the act!”
“No! I didn’t— I didn’t do anything!” I cry, but he’s louder than I am.
“Call the Court Physician!” he roars. “The King is dead! Did you hear me—I said, the King is dead!”
And then everything descends into chaos.
44
ELAINA
The world becomes a blur of marble and velvet and rushing sound as Dorian drags me through the palace halls.
My slippers slip uselessly on the polished floor. I stumble, catching myself, but his grip on my arm only tightens, fingers digging in so hard I know I’ll have bruises. I don’t dare protest. Not when I can hear guards rushing to join us—not when I can see where he’s taking me.
The throne room.
The tall gold doors open with a groaning creak and Dorian all but flings me forward into the center of the vast, echoing space.
The room is filled with people.
Nobles in elaborate finery cluster along the sides, whispering behind gloved hands. Silks rustle…jewels glint. The cloying scent of perfume and pomade hangs thick in the air.
At the far end, raised on her carved stone dais beneath the Royal Seal, sits Queen Virelda.
She is cold and composed as always. Her dress is black with scarlet threads running through it—almost as though she’s already dressed in mourning, though the King’s body has not yet even cooled.
She leans forward slightly, her sharp brows arching.
“Well,” she says, frowning. “What is the meaning of this disruption?”
Dorian steps forward, face twisted with false grief. He holds up the tiny black vial in one gloved hand like a priest showing relics to a congregation.
“Treachery!” he cries. “My Lords, my Ladies—Mother! The King is dead. Poisoned in his bed by this little spy!”
Gasps echo through the throne room like breaking glass and all eyes turn on me. I feel their accusing glare, though I know I don’t deserve it. But who is going to believe me over the Crown Prince?
Still, I must try to defend myself.
“That’s not true! I didn’t—”
Dorian talks over me.
“I caught her in the act! Standing over the King’s lifeless body with this in her hand!”
He shakes the vial for emphasis, the dark liquid inside sloshing ominously.
A cold sweat breaks across my forehead and blooms down my spine.
No one will believe me. Not over him. Not over the golden son with his angel’s face and devil’s heart.
“I wasn’t even near him,” I blurt desperately. “He was already— I didn’t know he was—”
“You were in his chambers,” Dorian hisses. “Why? Why would you be skulking in the secret halls, if not to sneak poison into his cup?”
I open my mouth, but no words come. I can’t tell them why I was there—not without confessing I was trying to steal the key to free Xaren.
Damn it, Elaina, think!
The throne room doors open again and the Court Physician enters, flanked by guards. A long chain of office swings from his neck over his long black robes like a noose.
“Well?” Queen Virelda asks sharply.
The physician bows deeply, then straightens.
“It is true,” he intones. “His Majesty is no more. His heart ceased… unnaturally. I believe poison was involved, though we’ll need more time to confirm the precise substance.”
Another round of horrified murmurs ripples through the nobles. A lady nearby fans herself rapidly, her face pale beneath her powdered cheeks.
The Queen turns to look down at me, her expression unreadable.
“Princess Elaina,” she says coldly. “Do you deny these charges?”
“I do!” My voice shakes but I lift my chin. “I didn’t poison him—I swear it. I—I stumbled into the room by accident! I was trying to—” I stop myself just in time. “I was lost in the passageways. I didn’t even know where I was until I saw—saw Dorian forcing something down the King’s throat.”
“You lying little whore,” Dorian snarls, stepping toward me.
The Queen raises one hand and he freezes.